• Another delay in renewing EU health and safety strategy would put lives at risk
    ETUC Deputy General Secretary Per Hilmersson

    Another delay in renewing EU health and safety strategy would put lives at risk

    With the EU strategic framework for health and safety at work expiring in 2020, the first discussions on a new strategy will take place today at the European Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Affairs Council. Ministers from the EU member states are expected to adopt conclusions on a new EU strategic framework on health and safety at work, inviting the European Commission to present a new strategic framework for 2021-2027.
    Press release Published on 10.12.2019
  • Joint statement: Strengthen EU chemicals policy to protect workers and environment
    Logos of the BEUC, ETUC and EEB

    Joint statement: Strengthen EU chemicals policy to protect workers and environment

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) together with the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC) and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) have come together to call on the Commission to build a Europe that protects people and ecosystems against chemical pollution.
    Press release Published on 09.12.2019
  • ETUC tells COP25: Climate change is a risk to workers
    COP 25 logo

    ETUC tells COP25: Climate change is a risk to workers

    Climate change is creating and exacerbating risks to workers, the ETUC warned delegates at the United Nation’s climate change conference (COP) today. On the second day of the event in Madrid, the ETUC held a joint side event with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung to highlight the consequences of climate change for the world of work.
    Press release Published on 03.12.2019
  • Workers' voice - The ETUC newsletter - November 2019
    cover

    Workers' voice - The ETUC newsletter - November 2019

    Dear Readers, We have just published the November 2019 edition of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!
    Press release Published on 28.11.2019
  • Extension of the EU Roadmap on Carcinogens
    Convenant

    Extension of the EU Roadmap on Carcinogens

    On 28 November 2019, several organisations, including the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), extended the EU Roadmap on Carcinogens in Helsinki. The objective of this voluntary action scheme is to raise awareness amongst workers and employers about the risks of exposure to carcinogens.
    Press release Published on 28.11.2019
  • Speech OPZZ 35th Anniversary Luca Visentini
    Luca

    Speech OPZZ 35th Anniversary Luca Visentini

    Speech OPZZ 35th Anniversary Gala Luca Visentini   A warm thank you for inviting me to this important anniversary in the history of OPZZ. I take this opportunity to extend to you the congratulations of the whole ETUC. OPZZ is an important member of the ETUC, and the European movement has benefited enormously from the input of your trade union. Since Poland joined the European Union, you have made sure that the voice of workers from Central and Eastern European member states was well heard in the trade union movement.
    Speech Published on 27.11.2019
  • Countdown begins on Commission’s pay and climate promises 
    Luca Visentini quote on the new European Commission

    Countdown begins on Commission’s pay and climate promises 

    Responding to the European Parliament’s approval for the new European Commission, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said: “The process of forming the new Commission has been beset by problems from the moment that lead candidates in the European elections were disregarded as potential presidents. "Now the Commission has finally got over the line, it’s time to get on with delivering the big promises it has made for its first 100 days.
    Press release Published on 27.11.2019
  • Autumn Fiscal Package: Growth not austerity needed for debt reduction
    Luca

    Autumn Fiscal Package: Growth not austerity needed for debt reduction

    The European Commission today presented its opinion on the draft budgets of Eurozone countries. Please find below a comment from European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Luca Visentini: 
    Press release Published on 20.11.2019
  • ETUC response to EIB fossil fuel disinvestment: change must be fair to workers
    ETUC Confederal Secretary Ludovic Voet supporting a socially just ecological transition

    ETUC response to EIB fossil fuel disinvestment: change must be fair to workers

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the decision by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to phase out lending to fossil fuel projects – and stresses that affected workers and regions must be properly supported. The board of the European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced that the institution will phase out lending for almost all fossil-fuel projects after 2021.
    Press release Published on 15.11.2019
  • Macroeconomic Dialogue at Political Level 7th November 2019 - Speech of Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary
    Luca

    Macroeconomic Dialogue at Political Level 7th November 2019 - Speech of Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary

    Dear Presidents, Ministers, Colleagues from the social partners. I do not like to be a pessimist, but the situation is grim. The global and European economic forecasts have been revised downwards. Inflation is still very low, despite all the efforts made by the ECB. We had finally started to have some breathing space as we were recovering from the 2008/2012 crisis. Now the growth prospects are reported to be weaker than last year. Also looking at the employment figures and claiming all is positive would be misleading.
    Speech Published on 08.11.2019
  • ETUC on Autumn Economic Forecast
    ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini saying: Europe cannot afford another recession so leaders must act quickly to restore confidence and demand to the economy

    ETUC on Autumn Economic Forecast

    Commenting on today's European Commission Autumn Economic Forecast, ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini said: “The Commission’s economic forecast shows Europe rests on the edge of another recession despite the fact that workers’ living standards still haven’t recovered from the last financial crisis. Even the good overall employment rate is based on a rise in precarious work.
    Press release Published on 07.11.2019
  • Workers' voice - The ETUC newsletter - October 2019
    Cover

    Workers' voice - The ETUC newsletter - October 2019

    Dear Readers, We have just published the October 2019 edition of the ETUC newsletter. To read the document, please click here. Enjoy!
    Press release Published on 30.10.2019
  • Parents in 7 countries to get new rights to paid leave
    Cover

    Parents in 7 countries to get new rights to paid leave

    Parents in seven EU member states will begin benefiting from new rights to paid leave if national governments properly implement the work-life balance directive, a new ETUC analysis shows. Fathers in Italy, Croatia and Slovakia are set to receive paid paternity leave around the birth of a child for the first time ever under the directive adopted by the European Council in June. The legislation fought for by the ETUC will also at least double the length of paid paternity leave in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Portugal and Romania.
    Press release Published on 29.10.2019